Wow, it's been ages since my last blog post
computer challenges and loads of work on the farm add up to ... too tired to even write on the blog. I am having some of my property logged off- some of the trees going for chips, some for firewood, some for logs. I have been rolling fence up and then rolling it back, moving horses, etc to accommodate the big skidders. It will be nice to extend my pastures.. but of course every project started leads to even more work - as all this will now have to be planted.
Our area of Vermont spent the summer months in the midst of a distressing drought. Ponds everywhere were dry and the turkey vultures are flocking to the empty pond beds for dying and dead fish and other water residents.
Our area of Vermont spent the summer months in the midst of a distressing drought. Ponds everywhere were dry and the turkey vultures are flocking to the empty pond beds for dying and dead fish and other water residents.
As Zoe and I ride and drive the loops, we watch as each day as the water levels are lower - until one day .. none at all. If it is true that it can't snow until the ponds fill up, then we are going to have a heck of a rainy fall. And I guess I will not complain once about it. I am fortunate my well is still giving water - as many in the area have lost theirs. We did finally get our rains -- pretty much all at once. My own pond gained a few feet with 3 rains... wow !! With yesterday's cold rain - the pond only needs a few inches to be topped off... than I guess snow will fly !?
The most noteworthy part of the weekend was --- I am pretty sure that on Saturday, we saddled up and harnessed up the largest number of trained Curly horses at one time, in one place, for one trail ride EVER IN THE WORLD !! WOW ~ It took a bit of jockeying to fit people to horse to saddle/tack.. but we accomplished it and everyone claimed they had the BEST time !! Some of the horses are lesson horses and rarely get out on the road.. their life is mainly giving lessons in the indoor. We only traveled 8 miles but had loads of fun.
They are waiting for the rest of the group to saddle up and trot out.
Now here's another special fun and unique situation ~ Deb, curly owner from NH, rides out with her daughter -- Deb on Sudie Bee, her daughter on Sudie's daughter -- OYY Sweet Bee. Mother/Daughter, mother/daughter ! :)
Deb, from NH, brought along her own tack and I must say -- it complimented Sudie and her figure perfectly !!
Along with the 12 or 15 saddled horses ( I don't even remember now what the number was !) Zoe drove OYY Fiona with Laurie Lee from Maine as a passenger in the cart. Laurie owns another Chocolate Chip daughter - A Kurlee Dream .. so paternal sister to Fiona. I drove OYY Nimue - with our own delightful RAC Leader Denise Conroy and another Curly owner from NH Laurie Bryan (owner and rider of Pyewacket, mare born and trained here- who is co-incidentally a maternal sister to Fiona !!) So off we went -- creating history in the Curly horse world !! 8 miles of country roads -
Here is Zoe preparing OYY Fiona - who brought up the rear of the pack. Laurie Lee from Maine rode with Zoe. She owns a Curly mare who came from Top O' The Hill Farm stock. Her mare and Fiona are paternal sisters.
Denise, Laurie B and Laurie L watch and chat while Brie - another curly owner/ RAC'er from Vermont prepares OYY My Keri Luna to join the curly queue.
As we all roll in after our ride/drive... we begin to realize how hungry we all are !! Now -- we still have to un-tack, feed, clean up --- More people are arriving for Saturday night under the tent.
Because we are still waiting for a few riders to return home, Nimue and I go back out with new passengers -- Bernice from CT (curly owner and RAC'er) and Brie.
OK- time for serious business... FOOD !! It's getting chilly as the sun sets.. we start a little bonfire and also the fire for roasting the corn. Last night we had lasagna for east -- Saturday night it's hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill -- with delicious roasted corn -- with Laurie Lee's Sangria and her HUGE trifle for dessert. Everyone brought something -- so we had plenty to eat !!
There were a few brave souls who slept in tents on the lawn -- most stayed in the house.
Deb turns the corn while it roasts -- yummy
Sunday breakfast -- bacon, Maine blueberry pancakes, waffles with this season's Vermont maple syrup.
At breakfast, everyone decided they all wanted to go out again for a ride.
Again -- we mentally make a list of riders, horses, tack --- some people left Saturday night to get home to their own chores... some new people arrived. I offer up my lovely Keri to Michelle..
Michelle is from CT-- also owner of some Curlies and an RAC'er.
Bernice, from CT (curly owner/RAC'er), rode out on Sudie Bee and returned on Job.
Dennis did a pretty great job considering Nimue hates ground driving.
Here's an exciting event ~ a fall filly born. Sired by our big man -- Mead's Chocolate Chip and out of OYY Cosette (WCC Benjamin X Anniva M) This filly is just what I hoped for and more !! Beautiful, smart and athletic !!
Cosette has always been one of our favorite mares - she was trained under saddle as a 3 year old -- time off, now a mom.
Here are links to her video's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeQgTH3R8Gs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZMkqwVc_To
Watch for news of this wonderful filly as she grows
OYY Lovely Rita
OYY Lovely Rita
There is much news that has not been posted -- OYY Elektra and Zoe had quite a successful show season - ending the summer with lots of ribbons, some good scores and a High Point Champion ribbon for Training Level Adult Amateur ! We've been out for some superb rides... a mare we sold has come back to us.. more news on that at a later date. Stay tuned and I will hopefully be posting now on a fairly regular basis... most of my computer issues have been surmounted or at the very least circumvented :)
Enjoy ~
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